© Martin Gudd
Fulda, Germany
Latitude: 50° 33' 34'' N
Longitude: 9° 40' 49'' E
08 July 1985 1400 (Local Time)
Camera direction: towards SW
Image P/S code: P.5.8
Image I.D.: 5147
CL = 1, CM = 2, CH = /
This is Altostratus of the species opacus. It is of great horizontal extent and thick enough in most parts to completely mask the Sun. There is an extensive area of mamma that has no alignment toward the top of the image, but is beginning to align in parallel lines in the lower centre of the image. In the lower part of the image, there are small, ragged Cumulus fractus of fine weather. They formed before the Altostratus covered the sky. Behind these and on the horizon are long, broadly parallel lines on the under surface of the Altostratus; this indicates the variety undulatus. They formed before the Altostratus covered the sky. The location was under a cool north-westerly flow. A trough brought unsettled weather and rain in the late afternoon, some time after the photo was taken.
Links in the image description will highlight features on the image. Mouse over the features for more detail.
The surface chart shows the situation at the time the photo was taken. Germany was under a cool north-westerly flow and some rain areas approached from the North Sea (within a trough). Before the rain was setting in, middle clouds covered the sky over the central parts of Germany.
The satellite picture shows the situation at the time the photo was taken. Thick clouds within a through are gradually covering the northern and central parts of Germany and are shifting to the south-east. More clouds over the North Sea between the British Isles and Norway indicate the persistence of the cool north-westerly flow.